Comments on: My Zaurus C3200 Linux PDA http://pundit.ca/2006/08/25/my-zaurus-c3200-linux-pda/ Ideas and the Internet, Josh Chalifour Minding the Current Mon, 04 Jul 2011 20:39:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Josh Chalifour http://pundit.ca/2006/08/25/my-zaurus-c3200-linux-pda/comment-page-1/#comment-4680 Josh Chalifour Thu, 01 Feb 2007 13:37:11 +0000 http://www.pundit.ca/indulgence/my-zaurus-c3200-linux-pda/#comment-4680 Jorj, the USB keyboard idea sounds like a good one, so long as you don't mind carrying that around with you. I suppose as soon as one starts dealing with ultra portable small devices the keyboard situation will automatically be an unavoidable problem. Maybe we need some manufacturers to consider some new alternate to the standard keyboard format, but one that can still be fast. I find handwriting recognition to be consistently difficult and even when it works ok, it's still slows me down too much. The benefit of typing is speed. In the end I sold my Zaurus (a bit sadly but I couldn't justify it for my needs). I haven't seen the ideal device built at an appropriate cost-point yet. Jorj, the USB keyboard idea sounds like a good one, so long as you don’t mind carrying that around with you. I suppose as soon as one starts dealing with ultra portable small devices the keyboard situation will automatically be an unavoidable problem. Maybe we need some manufacturers to consider some new alternate to the standard keyboard format, but one that can still be fast. I find handwriting recognition to be consistently difficult and even when it works ok, it’s still slows me down too much. The benefit of typing is speed.

In the end I sold my Zaurus (a bit sadly but I couldn’t justify it for my needs). I haven’t seen the ideal device built at an appropriate cost-point yet.

]]> By: Jorj http://pundit.ca/2006/08/25/my-zaurus-c3200-linux-pda/comment-page-1/#comment-4675 Jorj Thu, 01 Feb 2007 12:02:06 +0000 http://www.pundit.ca/indulgence/my-zaurus-c3200-linux-pda/#comment-4675 I can highly recommend the Zaurus. I currently have a C860 (no hdd) but I'm planning on upgrading to the c3200 soon. The major reason for this is the usb support. If you want a better keyboard for this device (I do web development on mine so it's a major point for me) you can just plug one in via usb. There are some good portable usb keyboards out there that are small enough to carry around, and when you're not typing much, just use the built in board. Although the screen is alittle small for reading, there is a very useful zoom function built in. There are two keys on the keybord that increase or decrease the size of text on the screen which makes it a lot easier to view. When you're done, just shrink it back to it's normal size again. Did you buy anything in the end? I have the same sentiments regarding the OQO as you; I'd love to have one, but the price is just too prohibitive. I can highly recommend the Zaurus. I currently have a C860 (no hdd) but I’m planning on upgrading to the c3200 soon. The major reason for this is the usb support. If you want a better keyboard for this device (I do web development on mine so it’s a major point for me) you can just plug one in via usb. There are some good portable usb keyboards out there that are small enough to carry around, and when you’re not typing much, just use the built in board.

Although the screen is alittle small for reading, there is a very useful zoom function built in. There are two keys on the keybord that increase or decrease the size of text on the screen which makes it a lot easier to view. When you’re done, just shrink it back to it’s normal size again.

Did you buy anything in the end? I have the same sentiments regarding the OQO as you; I’d love to have one, but the price is just too prohibitive.

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